forgiveness

extract from the diary of Baroness von Marenholtz-Buelow

" I must be thankful that I have received and still receive so many wounds.
For if my heart has been torn by pain I have been granted the opportunity
to pardon, and to go on loving when my self-love was trampled in the dust.
Yes, I have been able, am able to do this. I have kept my word--have held
to the resolution I formed early in my youth, to forgive those who took from
me my all. I dare to hope there is no injury ( I have already had the sharpest
injuries) which could be inflicted upon me that I could not with my whole
heart forgive
in the very moment of its infliction. Even in such a moment I can still love.

May the base and repulsive feeling of hatred remain forever unknown to me.
To practice self-denial is to behold God. For this self-denial I shall continuously
strive and I will practice it in those little things where we are helped
by no enthusiasm for the high and good."